Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-28

ucslraDle, assS IL Involves eHofibVuS ooot' |
Ditch conveyance is out of the ques-
ton, for sanitary reasons, and even II used J
must involve piping from somewhat dis
tant reservoir on the last section of the |
line, to give the required pressure" |
Again. say those of the opposition,
water thus freely used must be got rid OF,
and here an artificial means would be nee
essary, and this adds a new snd heavy fac
tor of cost. As 10 lifting, it is objected
that mechanical science has demonstrated
that water caanot be lifted 10y steam to a
repaired heal for operation of machinery
by steam direct"
A final objection raised is of semi
political character chat amy capitalized
organization bring ng in water, no matter
what the terms of agreement would
presently contrc, local politics and hold
the city at its nercy"
sfirmativel5 the same side advances
the proposition that q the gratifying and
steadily maintained high health record of
Sacramento is due in great measure To
Its good Ns-ter, than which 40 better Is
supplied 80 any city" and the water sup
plies of Oakland and San Francisco are
referred to as greatly inferior to thai of
Sacramento. River self-purifcation,"
say these gentlemen, is an established fact
the waters of river are exposed to such
oxydization that they are purified even in
short flow in manner and to an extent
that has always puzzled scientists" They
add: "If clear water must be had,
though we are content as things are and
believe the prejudice against the present
supply to be unwarranted, let the example
Of the city of Lyon-one among many
be adopted. There city of over 100000
population draws its water supply from the
river Rhone. but it is taken from basin
on the margin of the river, of some acres,
into which the water rises from the bot
tom clear and pure. 1t is SO large that
the most excessive demand upon it affects
it but an inch or 50, and thus it does not
foul, but the supply is constant, slow and
reliable. a tasin sunk to gravel Just be-
yond the old bed of the American river
and but half mile from the city, will
yield clear, pure palatable water rising
through its bottom, and the cost would be
light. An experiment could be made for
two or three hundred dollars to test the
matter by basin on a small scale, and its
capacity to resist the ability of an ordinary
steam fire engine. The basin scheme could
also be equally as well applied by curbed
reservoir sunk anywhere east Of the citv
within levee protection"
These are the views of people whose
earnestness is undeniable. 1t may be said
in reply that while science and experience
may demonstrate the healthtulness of the
present supply, the question of clear water
cannot be ignored. Discolored and sedi-
ment-depositing water ofends the eye of
the stranger and initiates against the
city's interests. If the local supply by
sunken reservoirs or by wells can be had
clear, then great step in advance will be
made. Scientific investigation ought to
be able to demonstrate to us in brief
time the truth, if as alleged the mountain
lake supply is not fit for use If as alleged
the transportation cost is so vast, mechani-
cal science ought to be able to inform the
Improvement Association quickly. What
ever change is made it must be to clear
water, and, if possible, to such greatly in
| creased pressure that the cheap motive
power question will be settled, the dis
position of the waste economically being
taken into account. The need for clear
water is undeniable; that it must be had
for this city is the verdict of public opin-
ion. For domestic uses, for lawn and gar
| den irrigation it is needed, that our foliage
may not be left smeared with river sedi-
ment, and settling" be at no time neces-
sary. The motive power question it must
be admitted is a secondary one, but it is of
such Importance that it occupies promi-
nent place in the discussion of the ques-
ton. So far as new systems are concerned,
we are of those who believe the city should
not place herself in the power of any
water corporation, or cease to retain her
present means of supply, to which she
might at any moment return The whole
water question is one that may well en-
gage public thought and expression, out of
which wisdom must eventually flow The
idea that its public debate is impolitic is
advanced by a few, but that branch of the
subject is really not worth a pause; no
public advance ever will be made that is
not the result of public consideration and
debate